{
  "abstract": "Introduction Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, both as carers and as patients. Many individuals developed persistent symptoms following an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, known as post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Previous research indicates that a significant proportion of HCWs experience long-lasting and debilitating symptoms of PCS. The aim of this study is to investigate the longitudinal symptom burden as well as the care pathways and treatment experiences of PCS-affected HCWs insured by the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for Health and Welfare.Methods and analysis The study uses a mixed-methods approach. The longitudinal survey will extend a cohort study of n=2436 HCWs (started in 2023) affected by PCS, adding two measurement points, set in 2025 (T 3) and 2026 (T4). Additionally, interviews on care pathways and treatment experiences will be conducted with a subsample of n=60 PCS-affected HCWs. Another subsample of n=30 HCWs will be asked to participate in ecological momentary assessments of symptom burden, emotional well-being and coping strategies. Analyses of routinely collected data by the insurance company will complement the study data. The study is supported by an advisory board comprising PCS-affected HCWs who assist with the content of both qualitative and quantitative surveys.Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (LPEK-0909, 1 May 2025; amendment: LPEK-0954, 18 September 2025). The results of the study will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.Registration details https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00035957",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Mirja Baumgart"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Laura Luedtke"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Jonas Petter"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Levente Kriston"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Hamburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Albert Nienhaus"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany"
      ],
      "name": "Martin Härter"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Symptom burden, care pathways and treatment experiences of healthcare workers with post-COVID-19 syndrome (SCOPE-CARE): a mixed-methods study protocol",
  "uid": "8d2220df-bba9-5aa4-8a7c-6c0acdbbae25"
}